Self-looping portable container and dispensing apparatus

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for holding and dispensing items is provided including first and second walls defining a pocket, first and second sealing elements removable attached to each other for accessing the pocket, and a fastening element for attaching the apparatus to a carrying device. The fastening element, first and second sealing elements, and first and second walls are one integral piece of material. The fastening element attaches the apparatus to the carrying device by wrapping around the carrying device so that the first and second walls and the first and second sealing elements pass through a loop created by the wrapped fastening element.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/047,315 filed Apr. 23, 2008 titled “Looper Scooper,” which is incorporated herein as if set forth in full.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to portable containers and dispensers. More particularly, the present invention relates to an integrally formed container and dispenser apparatus that can be carried on or by another object.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many pet owners walk their pets regularly, and during these walks the owners often find themselves needing many different types of items. For example, a pet may defecate during his walk, and the owner may need to pick up the waste to dispose of it in the proper manner. Accordingly, a pet owner may need to carry a plastic bag on the walk and use the bag to pick up the pet waste.

After a pet owner picks up his pet's waste and disposes of it, the pet owner may want to wipe and sanitize his hands. Accordingly, a pet owner may need to carry wet wipes or other antibacterial wipes with him during the pet's walk.

Some pets, particularly young pets, may need treats, food, or other incentives to defecate or urinate during a walk. For example, an owner may train his pet to urinate outside by rewarding the pet with a treat each time he urinates. Accordingly, a pet owner may need to carry a supply of pet treats, for example, on a walk with his pet.

Other examples of items that a pet owner may wish to bring with him on a walk with his pet include a water bottle, an energy drink, a cell phone, personal digital assistant, or a personal music player. The owner may need or want these items with him on a walk with his pet for convenience, necessity, or a number of other reasons.

Many pet owners walk their pets on a leash. Presently, when a pet owner walks his dog, one of the owner's hands holds the leash, and the other hand holds other items that the pet owner has brought with him on the walk. As explained above, these items can include plastic bags, wet wipes, antibacterial wipes, food, treats, water bottles, energy drinks, a cell phone, a personal digital assistant, a personal music player, or other items all without limitation. Thus, both of the pet owner's hands are occupied and therefore not available when the pet owner needs a hand to, for example, pick up pet waste, give a treat to his pet, wipe his own hands, maneuver his keys to lock or unlock a door, greet another person during the walk, or control an unruly pet. It would be beneficial for the pet owner to have at least one hand available to perform these tasks.

It is known to have containers and dispensers of waste disposal bags or other items attached to a pet leash with, for example, a ring, hook or other fastening mechanism. However, when such a ring, hook or other fastening mechanism is lost or broken, a pet owner must either dispose of the entire dispenser unit or find another way to attach the dispenser unit to the leash. Often the owner will improvise a fastening mechanism and find that such makeshift mechanisms do not safely and securely hold the dispenser, but rather are only temporary solutions. Typically such solutions can lead to the loss of either the makeshift fastening mechanism or the dispenser unit itself. Accordingly, it would be beneficial to have a portable container and dispenser apparatus attached to a pet leash or other object with a fastening element that is not separate from the apparatus itself. An integral fastening element would reduce the likelihood that the fastening element would become lost, broken, or need replacement.

There is thus a continuing, ongoing need for a portable container and dispenser apparatus that can hold different types of items and be carried on or by another device so at least one of a user's hands remains available when a user carries the container and the device on which it is carried. Preferably, such an apparatus includes an integral fastening element to attach the dispenser to a leash or other carrying device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus for holding and dispensing items is provided. The apparatus includes first and second walls defining a pocket, first and second sealing elements removably attached to each other for accessing the pocket, and a fastening element for attaching the apparatus to a carrying device. In a preferred embodiment, the fastening element, first and second sealing elements, and first and second walls are made of one integral piece of material. The fastening element attaches the apparatus to the carrying device by wrapping around the carrying device so that the first and second walls and the first and second sealing elements pass through a loop created by the wrapped fastening element.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the fastening element, first and second sealing elements, and the first and second walls are made from one or more of the following materials: plastic, nylon, fabric, polyester, canvas, leather, synthetic leather or other materials having desirable characteristics. The fastening element, first and second sealing elements, and first and second walls can be made of a disposable material. Further, at least one of the first or second walls can be made of a translucent material, and the fastening element can be made of a flexible material.

In some embodiments, the fastening element includes a first member and a second member removably attached to one another. In a preferred embodiment the first and second members can be removably attached to each other with eye and loop fasteners such as Velcro® brand fasteners.

In preferred embodiments, at least one handle extends from at least one of the first or second sealing elements for maneuvering the first or second sealing elements. In still other preferred embodiments, a slot opening can be disposed in at least one of the first or second walls for dispensing items held in the pocket. The pocket can have a shape that is one of substantially cylindrical or substantially spherical.

In another embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus for holding and dispensing items is provided. The apparatus includes a fastening element for attaching the apparatus to a carrying device, and a container. The container can define a pocket for carrying items, and the fastening element can be integral with the container. The fastening element can attach the apparatus to the carrying device by wrapping around the carrying device so that the container passes through a loop created by the wrapped fastening element.

In some embodiments, a slot can be disposed in the container for dispensing items in the pocket. In other embodiments, the container or the pocket can have a shape that is one of spherical, oval, or oblong.

A method of carrying and dispensing items is also provided including the steps of providing a pocket in an apparatus defined by at least two walls, opening the pocket of the apparatus, filling the pocket of the apparatus with items, closing the pocket with a sealing element, providing a fastening element fixedly attached to the at least one of the two walls or the sealing element, wrapping the fastening element around a carrying device to create a loop formed by the wrapped fastening element, and passing the at least two walls through the loop formed by the wrapped fastening element to secure the fastening element in place relative to the carrying device.

The sealing element can further include a first cooperative member and a cooperative second member, and closing the pocket can include pressing the first and second cooperative members together to form a seal. Opening the pocket in the method according to the present invention can include detaching the first cooperative member from the second cooperative member, which can be done by maneuvering a handle extending from the first or second cooperative members. The method of carrying and dispensing items according to the present invention can also include dispensing the items through a slit disposed in at least one of the two walls.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various examples of objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an unfolded portable container and dispenser apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a folded portable container and dispenser apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a folded portable container and dispenser apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of a folded portable container and dispenser apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a folded and partially attached portable container and dispenser apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a folded and attached portable container and dispenser apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a folded and attached portable container and dispenser apparatus in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

While this invention is susceptible of an embodiment in many different forms, there are shown in the drawings and will be described herein in detail specific embodiments thereof with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention. It is not intended to limit the invention to the specific illustrated embodiments.

Embodiments of the present invention include a portable container and dispenser apparatus that can hold different types of items and be carried on or by another object so as to permit at least one of a user's hands to remain free while the user is walking his pet and using the device of the present invention. In some embodiments of the present invention, the apparatus includes an integral fastening element for attaching the apparatus to a leash or other carrying device. The fastening element can be wrapped around the carrying device to secure the apparatus in place. The carrying device could be, for example, a leash, a belt, a strap, a purse strap, a bar, a bicycle, or any other device on which a user would desire to carry the container and dispenser apparatus of the present invention. As used herein, the portable container and dispenser apparatus is referred to as an apparatus for ease of reference.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a plan view of an unfolded apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is shown. The apparatus 100 can be made of plastic, nylon, fabric, polyester, canvas, leather, synthetic leather, as well as other materials suitable for the purposes described herein. In some embodiments of the present invention, the apparatus can be made of disposable materials such that the apparatus can be disposed of after one or several uses. In preferred embodiments, materials are disposable when they are relatively inexpensive, non-hazardous, and minimally polluting.

In other embodiments, the apparatus or at least walls of a pocket of the apparatus can be made of translucent materials. At least one advantage of an apparatus or walls of the pocket of the apparatus being made of translucent materials is that the user can determine the type and quantity of items remaining in the apparatus so as to know when a refill is required.

Still further embodiments of the present invention, and even some of the embodiments noted above, include an apparatus that is made of flexible materials. An apparatus made from flexible materials can make wrapping or looping the fastening element of the apparatus around a leash or other carrying device easier. Further, an apparatus made from flexible materials allows a leash or other such carrying device carrying the apparatus to be maneuvered as needed, for example, when an unruly pet pulls on the leash.

As shown in FIG. 1, an apparatus 100 made in accordance with the teachings of the present invention can be made from one continuous piece of material. The apparatus 100 can have two halves or sides: a first side 10 and a second side 20. Each of the first and second sides 10 and 20 of the apparatus can be elongated sections of the material forming the apparatus 100, and the first side 10 and the second side 20 can be connected via a middle portion 30 of material forming the apparatus 100. The material forming the apparatus 100 can be folded at the middle portion 30 so that the first side 10 mirrors or faces the second side 20.

The first side 10 can include a first member 12, a first sealing element 14, and a first wall 16. A first handle 18 can extend from the first sealing element 14, and a user can easily maneuver the sealing element 14 by gripping the handle 18. A slot opening 19 can be disposed in the first wall 16.

The second side 20 of the portable apparatus 100 can include elements that mirror the first side 10. That is, the second side can include a second member 22, a second sealing element 24, and a second wall 26. A second handle 28 can extend from the second sealing element 24, and a user can easily maneuver the sealing element 24 by gripping the handle 18.

It will be understood that the first side 10, the second side 20, and the middle portion of the apparatus 100, and all of the elements thereof can be made of one integral piece of material—that is, formed from a single unitary piece of material in a manner known to persons having ordinary skill in the art.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the first side of the apparatus in a folded position, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the folded apparatus. The apparatus 100 can be folded at the middle portion 30 thereof so that the first side 10 opposes the second side 20. When in a folded position, the first side 10 and the second side 20 mirror one another. In the folded position as shown in FIG. 2, the portions of the first side 10 and the second side 20 can attach to one another as will be further explained herein to form a pocket in which different items can be carried and stored.

In one embodiment of the present invention, when the apparatus 100 is in a folded position, the first member 12 and the second member 22 can be fixedly attached to one another. In another embodiment of the present invention, the first member 12 and the second member 22 can be removably attached to one another when the apparatus 100 is in the folded position. In either embodiment, when the portable dispenser 100 is in a folded position, a fastening element 32 is formed by the attached first and second members 12 and 22.

When the apparatus 100 is in the folded position, the first sealing element 14 and the second element 24 can also attach to one another. In some embodiments of the claimed invention, the first and second sealing elements 14 and 24 can be removably attached to another with, for example, Velcro® brand eye and loop fasteners or some other removable fastener as known by those of skill in the art.

The attached first and second sealing elements 14 and 24 can be pressed together to form a seal that closes a pocket 34 formed by the first wall 6 and the second wall 26 of the apparatus 100. The first and second walls 16 and 26 can form the exterior of the pocket 34 when the portable dispenser 100 is in the folded position. The attached first and second sealing elements 16 and 26 can ensure that items located in the pocket 34 are securely held in the pocket 34. Items held by the pocket 34 can be easily accessed by detaching the first sealing element 14 from the second sealing element 24.

The pocket 34 can be of a variety of different shapes and dimensions as known by persons having ordinary skill in the art and as would be desired by users of the present invention. For example, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the first and second walls 16 and 26 can form a cylindrically-shaped pocket 34. The first and second walls 16 and 26 can each form half of the exterior of the cylindrically-shaped pocket 34.

Pocket 34 can hold a variety of items; for example, pocket 34 can hold plastic bags, wet wipes, antibacterial wipes, pet food or treats, liquid energy packs, water bottles, a cellular telephone, a personal digital assistant, a personal music player, or any other items as would be known by those having skill in the art or desired by users of the device of the present invention. The first wall 16 can include a slot opening 19 disposed therein to allow for easy dispensing of the items in the pocket 34. For example, when a roll of plastic bags is held in the pocket 34, the bags could be pulled out of the pocket 34 one at a time via the slot opening 34.

First and second handles 18 and 28 can extend from the first and second sealing elements 14 and 24, respectively. A user of the portable dispenser 100 could pull on either or both of the handles 18 and 28 to detach the first sealing element 14 from the second sealing element 24 and access the pocket 34.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a plan view of a folded and partially attached apparatus is shown. FIG. 6 is a plan view of the folded and attached apparatus. The folded apparatus 100 can be attached to a carrying device and become portable by wrapping or looping the fastening element 32 of the apparatus 100 around a carrying device. A carrying device could be, for example, a leash, a belt, a strap, a purse strap, a bar, a bicycle handle, or any other device as would be known by those or ordinary skill in the art. The fastening element 32 of the present invention can accommodate carrying devices of varying thickness.

As seen in FIG. 6, the fastening element 32 is wrapped around a leash 36. To secure the fastening element 32 to the leash, the walls 16and 26 of the pocket 34 and first and second sealing elements 14 and 24 can be pulled through a loop formed by the wrapped fastening element 32. When pulled through the loop formed by the wrapped fastening element 32, the walls 16 and 26 of the pocket 34 and the first and second sealing elements 14 and 24 extend away from the wrapped fastening element 32 and the leash 36 so that a user of the apparatus 100 can easily access the pocket 34 and items located therein.

It will be understood that the fastening element 32 can be integral to and with the apparatus 100. The fastening element 32 can be formed from one, single, continuous piece of material with the rest of the apparatus 100. Accordingly, in preferred embodiments of the present invention, the fastening element 32 cannot completely detach from the apparatus 100. The fastening element 32 can wrap around a carrying device to lock the apparatus 100 into place while keeping the contents of the pocket enclosed and safe.

Referring now to FIG. 7, a perspective view of a folded and attached apparatus in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention is shown. A container 234 can form the exterior of a pocket that holds a variety of items, including, for example, plastic bags 238 as seen in FIG. 7. The container or pocket can have a variety of different shapes, for example, spherical, oval, or oblong. The container 234 can include a slot or opening through which the plastic bags or other items can be dispensed. In embodiments of the claimed invention, the container 234 can be formed to have the appearance of a sports ball, for example, a basketball, a soccer ball, a tennis ball, a baseball or other shapes as would be desired by a user of the present invention.

A fastening element 232 can be integral with or fixedly attached to the container 234, and the fastening element 232 can extend from a portion of the container 234, for example, the top portion. The fastening element 232 can be wrapped or looped around a carrying device, for example, a leash 236 as seen in FIG. 7. When wrapping the fastening mechanism 232 around the leash 236, the container 234 can be pulled through the loop formed by the wrapped fastening mechanism 232 so that the container 234 extends away from the looping mechanism 232 and leash 236.

From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific apparatus or method illustrated herein is intended or should be inferred. It is, of course, intended to cover by the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the scope of the claims. 

1. An apparatus for holding and dispensing items comprising: first and second walls defining a pocket; first and second sealing elements removably attached to each other for accessing the pocket; and a fastening element for attaching the apparatus to a carrying device; wherein the fastening element, the first and second sealing elements, and the first and second walls are made of one integral piece of material, and the fastening element attaches the apparatus to the carrying device by wrapping around the carrying device so that the first and second walls and the first and second sealing elements pass through a loop created by the wrapped fastening element.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the fastening element, the first and section sealing elements, and the first and second walls are made from one or more of the following materials: plastic, nylon, fabric, polyester, canvas, leather, or synthetic leather.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the fastening element, the first and second sealing elements, and the first and second walls are made of a disposable material.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least one of the first or second walls is made of a translucent material.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the fastening element is made of a flexible material.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the fastening element further comprises a first member and a second member removably attached to one another.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising at least one handle extending from at least one of the first or second sealing element for maneuvering the first or second sealing element.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a slot opening disposed in at least one of the first or second walls for dispensing items held in the pocket.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first and second elements removably attach to each other with eye and loop fasteners.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the pocket has a shape that is one of substantially cylindrical or substantially spherical.
 11. An apparatus for holding and dispensing items comprising a fastening element for attaching the apparatus to a carrying device; and a container, the container defining a pocket for carrying items, wherein the fastening element is integral with the container, the fastening element attaches the apparatus to the carrying device by wrapping around the carrying device so that the container passes through a loop created by the wrapped fastening element.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising a slot disposed in the container for dispensing the items in the pocket.
 13. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the container has a shape that is one of spherical, oval, or oblong.
 14. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the pocket has a shape that is one of spherical, oval, or oblong.
 15. A method of carrying and dispensing items comprising: providing a pocket in an apparatus defined by at least two walls; opening the pocket of the apparatus; filling the pocket of the apparatus with items; closing the pocket with a sealing element; providing a fastening element fixedly attached at least one of the at least two walls or the sealing element; wrapping the fastening element around a carrying device to create a loop formed by the wrapped fastening element; and passing the at least two walls through the loop formed by the wrapped fastening element to secure the fastening element in place relative to the carrying device.
 16. The method of carrying and dispensing items of claim 15 wherein the sealing element further comprising a first cooperative member and a second cooperative member and closing the pocket further comprises pressing the first and second cooperative members together to form a seal.
 17. The method of carrying and dispensing items of claim 16 wherein opening the pocket further comprises detaching the first cooperative member from the second cooperative member.
 18. The method of carrying and dispensing items as in claim 17 wherein detaching the first member from the second member further comprises maneuvering a handle extending from at least one of the first or second cooperative members.
 19. The method of carrying and dispensing items as in claim 15 further comprising dispensing the items through a slot opening disposed in at least one of the at least two walls. 